Genius Regressor Makes Mythic Items

『Breaking News! Top Players from Various Asian Countries Are Dying One After Another!』

『There Was Not Even a Trace of Resistance? Was It Really an Accident?』

『Why Only Asia? Europe, America, Africa, are All Fine』

『World Awakening Alliance, ‘Investigating with All our Might’』

The headlines poured in rapidly.

Kim Shimun, who confirmed this, muttered.

“Ridiculous.”

He couldn’t help but chuckle. As expected.

‘Who would have thought they would move this aggressively?’

He had anticipated some problems would arise since the start of the regular arena. But he never imagined such a large-scale assassination would unfold.

In fact.

‘Even in my previous life, there were no assassinations.’

In his past life on Earth. When the regular arena began, this level of large-scale assassination never occurred.

Most confrontations during the arena break merely resulted in major or minor injuries. Reflecting on this. Kim Shimun could deduce several facts.

‘The culprit must be Zhang Liqiu.’

Firstly, the culprit of this assassination was certainly Zhang Liqiu. The reason was simple.

『China and Korea are the only countries that avoided deaths?』

『Breaking News! Confirmed Deaths of China’s Promising Talent Kang Hwawi and Ranker Zhang Dae-In!』

『Thus, Korea is the Only Country Unscathed!』

『‘Why Only Korea?’ – Raising Suspicions Across Asia』

『The Korean Association’s Confident Assertion ‘Our Usual Security is Excellent’』

As the breaking news rolled in. Although there were casualties in the Continental. Weren’t the victims’ names being reported?

‘Kang Hwawi was defeated by me last time.’

Kang Hwawi, a promising talent of the Continental.

He, possessing the S-rank ability Flesh Armor (肉甲), was defeated by Kim Shimun when the world tree’s growth buff first appeared.

Naturally.

‘He must have fallen out of Zhang Liqiu’s favor then.’

Given the damage to the Continental and nurturing an opposing force like Seo Wiryong.

Zhang Liqiu must have completely abandoned him.

However.

‘To use a discarded piece so meticulously.’

This didn’t seem like Zhang Liqiu’s style.

Regardless.

Kim Shimun’s brows slightly raised, and his gaze stopped at Zhang Dae-In.

‘Moreover, the previous guild leader’s close aide in the Continental, that is, a ranker from Seo Wiryong’s faction, also died.’

Zhang Dae-In.

A ranker of the Continental and the close aide of the moderate faction’s guildmaster. It so happened that he died alongside Kang Hwawi?

Additionally, Zhang Dae-In is a ranker from the first generation like the previous guildmaster.

His death has a different nuance than the famous rankers dying in other countries.

‘This was an exceedingly thorough smokescreen.’

It was indeed a meticulously orchestrated smokescreen operation. Of course, those familiar with the Continental might harbor suspicions about Zhang Dae-In’s death.

‘No matter how much of an opponent he is, it’s essentially self-damage by killing a ranker from one’s own guild.’

Despite being an opponent. It’s unimaginable that they would go as far as killing a ranker within their own guild.

At that moment.

Bang.

The door to the association president’s office swung open, and two middle-aged men entered.

“Have you confirmed everything?”

“Yes. All rankers have been contacted.”

It was Association President Kim Muyeol and his secretary Choi Changwook.

Had they been moving quite busily?

“Click.”

Kim Muyeol clicked his tongue shortly as he loosened his tie and threw himself onto the sofa.

“What’s the reason behind this?”

He immediately asked Kim Shimun.

“You know everything already.”

Kim Shimun replied with a smirk.

Kim Muyeol’s brows knitted together.

“It’s the work of the Continental. If it weren’t for Zhang Dae-In’s death, the whole world would have noticed it.”

The Continental.

To be precise, even Kim Muyeol knew it was Zhang Liqiu’s doing. Anyone who had close ties with Zhang Liqiu would have realized it.

“What I want to ask is….”

The issue was.

“Why did Zhang Liqiu go to the extent of killing Zhang Dae-In to pull this off?”

Despite being an opposing faction, Zhang Dae-In was a crucial force for the Continental.

Why on earth.

Did he go as far as killing a ‘ranker’, the guild’s top force, to carry out this plan?

Choi Changwook, perhaps sharing the same curiosity, was also looking with somewhat emotional eyes.

Kim Shimun chuckled and answered.

“That’s probably what you guessed, uncle.”

“Is it due to the event-oriented arena you mentioned?”

“Yes.”

Kim Shimun nodded at Kim Muyeol’s question.

“After the regular arena begins, Continental representative battles will occur continent by continent.”

“Continental representative battles, something like national championships?”

“Yes. Almost identical. Except for one thing….”

Trailing off, he took a sip of the cooled tea.

He continued.

“The winning continent in the representative battle gets to participate in the dimensional competition.”

Clink.

He set the cup down.

“Dimensional competition?”

Kim Muyeol and Choi Changwook, unfamiliar with the term even as first-generation rankers, looked puzzled.

With practiced ease, Shimun explained.

“I don’t know the details, but roughly, it’s an arena where we compete against other dimensions. You could say it’s a kind of pan-dimensional arena.”

He conveniently edited his past life’s memories to answer.

“An arena against other dimensions….”

Kim Muyeol fell into brief contemplation.

Shortly after, Kim Muyeol nodded solemnly and said, “I see.”

“The rewards for the dimensional competition must be substantial.”

“Exactly.”

The rewards for the national championships themselves were already significant. The national buff, which applied to all players belonging to a nation, held immense value.

There was no need to question the significance of the rewards for the dimensional competition.

In reality, it was indeed so.

‘From the regular arena onwards, dimension-wide buffs are added.’

A type of dimension buff. A buff that applies beyond the realm of a nation, affecting the entire dimension. It went beyond merely increasing experience points and rewards.

‘It boosts the number of awakened ones in the dimension and the value of acquired traits.’

The buffs directly related to awakenings and traits were provided.

“Furthermore, since it’s by continent.”

Choi Changwook, who had been quietly standing by, added. Having encountered Zhang Liqiu through Kim Muyeol several times, “The honor gained from the Continental selection battles must be considerable as well.”

He correctly pinpointed Zhang Liqiu’s aim.

“Indeed, that would be the case.”

Kim Muyeol gently nodded.

“It could prove that the Continental is the strongest guild in Asia.”

“Moreover, if they participate in the dimensional competition, it would mean they are the strongest on Earth as well.”

In addition to the material rewards given by the Galaxy Arena. Throughout Asia. Furthermore, the honor of being the strongest country and the strongest guild on Earth.

“Zhang Liqiu, that arrogant fellow, couldn’t possibly resist such a temptation.”

“I agree.”

Both men were well aware of how much the Continental and Zhang Liqiu valued that title.

Looking at it this way, “It now makes sense why they would resort to such madness.”

Kim Muyeol fully understood Zhang Liqiu’s aggressive actions. He looked at Kim Shimun.

“And the participants for this Continental representative battle, are they as you demanded from me?”

“Yes. One person is selected from each rank category: Platinum, Diamond, and Ranker.”

Moreover,

“It’s based on players who have shown the best performance in recent arenas.”

Considering,

“The most outstanding performers from the upper ranks of each country were chosen.”

With a complex look, Kim Muyeol regarded Kim Shimun.

“Then the participants have already been decided.”

“Exactly.”

Otherwise, how could the Continental pinpoint and assassinate the participants of the Continental representative battle?

“It’s obvious who the standout players are just by watching the most recent arena broadcasts.”

Some level of preselection made it possible.

With slightly narrowed eyes, Kim Muyeol stared at Kim Shimun.

“Then Korea’s Diamond representative must be you.”

“Well… probably.”

Kim Shimun shrugged his shoulders.

It wasn’t arrogance.

‘Among Korea’s Diamond players, no one has shown as much performance as I have.’

Though he didn’t know exactly how the Galaxy Arena chose representatives, he roughly guessed it was similar to the upgrade conditions of the achievement shop.

From titles and arena contributions to achievement points and recent achievement scores. It must have been a combined score from various fields.

Including the participantants of the Semi-Arena.

As he thought about it up to that point, “Come to think of it, it is quite strange.”

Kim Shimun had a question.

“Why did the Continental specifically exclude Korea from the assassination?”

After all, Korea was the place with the deepest personal vendetta—against Kim Shimun specifically.

‘If they intended to assassinate players from various Asian countries, shouldn’t I have been the top priority?’

Moreover, there was no need to kill all three. Just picking him to kill would result in only one death in Korea.

Therefore, the suspicion of other Asian countries with three deaths each would still remain.

“That’s exactly what I intended to talk about.”

Did Kim Muyeol know the reason?

He spoke as if he had been waiting.

“Choi Changwook.”

“Yes.”

He gestured toward Choi Changwook, who handed a document to Kim Shimun.

“This is…”

“Among the list you requested, these players are similar to the ones who died in different countries.”

Kim Shimun’s eyes quickly fell upon the list.

The reason was simple.

“Myself, Shihyuk, and… Malsuk?”

Not only himself but also his younger brother Kim Shihyuk and Go Malsuk were there. They were currently the top performers in the Ranker, Diamond, and Platinum divisions, respectively.

Of course, ‘Though there are others like Beast King Choi Jinsu or Jinwook backing us…’

Familiar names followed each rank category, but, “Yes. Kim Shihyuk and Go Malsuk. They are indeed performing best in each rank in Korea.”

Far ahead was himself, Kim Shihyuk, and Go Malsuk. Even if for no other reason than the number of arena participations.

‘Jinwook is busy with the administrative work of the Shimdrasil Guild.’

Yujeong also seemed to be focusing more on reality than the arena these days.

Kim Muyeol watched Kim Shimun lost in thought.

Shortly after, “Before coming here, I tried contacting the two of them. But… I couldn’t reach them.”

Kim Muyeol’s words snapped Kim Shimun back to reality.

Is that true? Why are you only mentioning it now!

Kim Shimun didn’t ask such questions.

Tap.

He urgently took out his phone from his pocket. He quickly tapped the screen and put the phone to his ear.

Ring.

After a few suspenseful rings.

“Hello?”

Fortunately, a familiar voice answered.

*

In the underground parking lot of the Korean Awakener Association.

Since the majority of the staff were awakeners, The parking lot was filled with all kinds of luxurious cars.

One car stood out,

“Hyung. Over here!”

A fresh-looking young man waved in front of an overly flashy sports car. It was his younger brother, Kim Shihyuk.

“Hey, Kim Shihyuk. You answered my call just now, so why….”

Kim Shimun, who was about to mention the recent call, blinked for a moment.

“What’s this? Did you get a new car?”

“Ah, yes! It’s a new model made from arena materials, so I decided to pick it up.”

Kim Shihyuk grinned while nodding.

To that,

‘The style is a bit too flashy compared to before…’

Kim Shimun looked at his brother’s new car with a somewhat awkward expression.

‘Well, he must be under a lot of stress lately, given the intense focus required as part of the higher ranks.’

He shrugged and got into the front seat.

He had no intention of dampening his brother’s spirits over his new car.

Soon enough,

“Huh?”

Kim Shimun’s eyes widened as he entered the car.

It wasn’t just the peculiar interior.

“Welcome, Shimun.”

“You’re here, oppa?”

“Hey, you’re here?”

Night Hunter Park Jinwook, along with Lee Yujeong and Go Malsuk, were all inside.

The car was large enough and overly fancy,

But all his companions were in it.

“What is this? Were you all together?”

Kim Shimun asked in a surprised tone.

“Ah… yes. We had things to discuss. And we might as well take a break; we can’t enter the arena anyway, right?”

Lee Yujeong hesitated for a moment before answering.

“That’s right. We decided to take a rare break.”

Park Jinwook quickly echoed her.

To that,

‘A break?’

Kim Shimun tilted his head slightly.

‘Didn’t he say he had no time to rest until Olivia adjusted to her duties?’

Soon,

‘Well, I guess it’s all done now.’

Trusting Park Jinwook, Kim Shimun nodded and sat back.

Ding-ding.

“Hyung, seatbelt.”

“Oh.”

The car’s alert sound prompted him to buckle up.

Vroom.

As expected of a new model made from arena materials, The car smoothly exited the parking lot and sped down the road without any noise.

Kim Shimun rested his head against the seat and spoke.

“Anyway, man, no matter how much you dislike uncle, it’s too much to ignore his call.”

However,

“Uncle?”

Kim Shihyuk responded with the exact same question.

Kim Shimun smirked,

“Kim Shihyuk, you’re in your mid-20s now. No matter how much you dislike it, you can’t just ignore family….”

Turning his head, Shimun’s words trailed off.

The reason was simple.

“What? Are you serious?”

Kim Shihyuk, gripping the steering wheel, His face was genuinely puzzled.

Noticing the strange expression,

“Oh, no. It’s just as you said, I dislike him too much.”

Kim Shihyuk hastened to explain.

Since it was a somewhat understandable answer, “Even so, family is family. Times have changed, but you’ll be the head of the Kim family someday. You shouldn’t act like that.”

Kim Shimun replied earnestly, a departure from his usual tone.

“Yes, I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kim Shihyuk nodded quickly and focused on the road.

Watching his younger brother, “Malsuk, why didn’t you answer your phone?”

He turned to the back seat where Go Malsuk was sitting. Perhaps not expecting the question to come to her,

“Huh? Me?”

Go Malsuk’s eyes widened like a startled rabbit. Her unusual reaction made Kim Shimun frown.

“What’s with that weird reaction?”

Kim Shimun’s brows furrowed.

To that, “Oh, screw you! What do you mean weird!”

Go Malsuk was about to snap but held back,

“You know, I was with Kim Shihyuk….”

Explaining in a restrained tone.

But before she could finish, “What did you just say?”

Kim Shimun asked with a bizarre look on his face. Go Malsuk, seemingly oblivious to Kim Shimun’s strange expression,

“Why the face, oppa? Did you see a ghost?”

She asked back, puzzled.

“……”

Kim Shimun’s face became even more bizarre. After a moment of silence, he turned his gaze to Go Malsuk’s side.

“Jinwook, did you send this month’s guild buff authorization to Kim Shihyuk properly?”

“What? Ah! Yes, of course.”

Park Jinwook nodded quickly at Kim Shimun’s question.

“As you know, he’s a bit lazy, so I got the authorization as soon as the month started.”

His confident answer seemed to satisfy Kim Shimun,

“I see.”

Kim Shimun nodded stiffly and looked forward again.

“Ah, so that’s how they got ambushed without a sound.”

He muttered incomprehensibly.

Then,

“Oppa?”

“Kim Shimun?”

When Go Malsuk and Park Jinwook called out to him,

“That was quite an experience.”

Woosh.

Kim Shimun’s left eye flickered as if set ablaze.

“In particular, you, Malsuk. You were truly… a legend.”

With those words,

BOOM!!

The new arena-model supercar exploded.

TL’s Corner:
Next Chapter: Jennifer’s gets Bodied.